NOVICA Handbag Giveaway

NOVICA is a fair trade company that works with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic leanings. Their new handbag section offers purses in every style, in variety of materials (from leather to soda pop-tops), and are made all over the world from the Andes to India.

There's far too many options and styles to possibly choose one for another person, so this giveaway is for one $75 gift certificate to the shop to be spent at the winner's discretion.To enter: leave a comment below telling me what country you would most like to visit or which you would purchase a purse from. Open to international readers. The winner will be drawn on 10/15/09.

P.S. I truly enjoyed reading all the entries on my last giveaway for the tote bags. The two winners (chosen at random) are: Aimee and Elyse. Congrats to the winners and good luck to everyone entering this giveaway!

CONVERSATION

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comments:

I would love to visit Sweden the most. The culture seems great and the countryside looks awesome. I would love to go mountaineering there some time in the future. I've even gone so far as to try to learn the language. But I would love to buy a purse/bag from Brazil. I like fair trade things and supporting less well-off countries.

I would like to visit every country in the world if I could. Obviously I know I can't visit EVERY country. Mostly I've always been fascinated by Istanbul, Turkey ever since I read a book which was set there. The name escapes me, but it's just so rich in culture and history, so detailed and intricate. I would just love to wonder round looking at the architecture. Seems like a place where you can really discover. :)

best giveaway i've seen in a long time! thanks for sharing this amazing site. i fell i love with Sasithon Saisuk's aesthetic. it says she's from thailand. her coconut shell bag is incredible, and i was searching her jewelry as well. so talented. i love her quote, "it is the melding of art and local beauty expressed in the combination of materials."

I've always dreamed of traveling. Any place, any where, so long as it's new, different, and there's a bit of good food for me to indulge in. I'd love to see it all.

There are so many cultures to experience, you have really got to start young, or have big dreams. I was lucky enough to be accepted as an exchange student at the age of 16. I was sent to Japan for a year, which was mind-boggling in itself, without the added bonus of meeting many other exchange students from various other countries. Japan, Sweden, Australia, France, Malaysia, and more.. all places that seemed so far away, so different, and yet all of us, as human beings, were able to see eye-to-eye and get along.

Really, though, all of these hand bags are gorgeous. I'm in a dead heat between West Africa and Thailand. My mother worked in an import store, selling lots of good from Thailand, Nepal, and other surrounding areas. I have a big soft spot for the look of things from that region. Thailand seems to have many beautiful styles, but the West African spirit really seems to shine through in those designs. They really appeal to me somehow. West Africa.. I wonder how a visit to a place like that would be? Wonderfully interesting, I'm sure. What a tough choice!

Personally, I would love to visit Estonia. It isn't a tourist attraction by a long shot, but it is one of Europe's gems. It has a hidden historically rich culture that I find personally fascinating. Much is unknown about Estonia, therefore it is that much more appealing.

Right now the number one on my "wanna travel to" list is morocco. I've been to Tunisia last fall and it was amazing, so different from where I live and so cool (plus, I got to go to Sahara and ride a camel :) ), so I wanted to travel another arab country and I've only heard great things about morocco. I really hope I'll be able to save up enough to go in the spring or next fall :)

it would be amazing to visit every single country...imagine the things you would see and experience! at the moment my fist choice is chile to visit easter island.... if i were to purchase one of these amazing bags i would pobably go for one from a hot eastern country as im sure the colours and textures would would simply be divine!

I'd love to visit Japan with my cousin to see its urban landscapes and experience the culture over there. My cousin is really into little Japanese toys and games (so am I!) so I think we'd really enjoy walking through Tokyo but I also want to see the Japanese temples that have stood for centuries.

UK, definitely, especially for Christmas. It's the Christmas I've been longing for; cold winter, Christmas roast, warm mulled wine, cozy knits, Boxing Day shopping, Christmas services at churches filled with old people who have the warmest stories to tell...ah I just love UK

ooh, what a difficult question! there is so much of the world i want to see! i've been lucky enough to travel quite a bit already, but ultimately i would like to buy a bag that reminds me of the whole world! ooh i want to go to scandinavia (is there something in the water there? WHY ARE THEY ALL SO GORGEOUS?) and to india and to australia (do they all walk upside-down?) and to russia to see the hermitage and to the baltics (estonia looks so beautiful!) and to argentina (such a fascinating history!)... this is the hardest thing to answer. i think that malta is top of my list though. everyone thinks i'm insane, but i REALLY want to go to malta. they had pygmy elephants there in prehistoric times.

I would anywhere, if only someone would take my place in Norway. Just for a flash of someones culture, anywhere - I love traveling! I traveled to Africa in 2006, and it was heaven! I actually haven't been able to write about the journey itself, it was so amazing to me, and I loose every word each time I try.

I would love to go back, but I'm afraid that would ruin the first experience. But now, most of all I would love to go to USA. A life long dream, actually. And some day I will :)

Anyways - I would go for the Leather hobo handbag, 'Caramel Karma, if I could spend some dollars plus the gift certificate. If not; I'd go for the Alpaca wool shoulder bag, 'Scarlet World' and wear it all winter with my new-found love for plaids :) Haha, but after reading your post again, I see that this haven't got anything to do with the contest, and I'm just babbling. Sorry for that :p

I would most like to visit Vietnam to learn more about our entwined history and get a new perspective on the United States' relationship with Vietnam. Also, I hear they have killer water adventures and shopping.

I don't think I could decide what country I'd like to visit most, but Turkey is definitely on the short list for its fascinating history. I even have a friend who used to live there, so I'd be able to get the inside scoop!

I've never been outside of North America, so I would relish any opportunity to visit a country in Europe, Asia, etc.Most of all, I would love to visit Italy. I think everything from the language to the food is appealing there!

10 years from now, I will be living in Australia. My dream would be to live on the beach and surf all day, but...obviously that's only fun once. I just love their accents and their tan skin. It would be such a change from chilly Canada.theprincessmelted@rocketmail.com

I havent had to change to travel very much, but if I had the chance I would jump on a plane and immediately head to the UK. The British always seem to have such lovely and unique thing. But my second choice would definately Italy.

I am dying to go to India. I have so many close Indian friends, and I think when I get married my entire bridal party will be Indian except for my sister! I am dying to go there just because I feel so immersed in the culture, I want to experience it all first hand... Especially the food, the clothes... all of it! My best friend is from Goa, like the Carribean of India, so this is where I would like to start!

There are so many countries I want to see, but I would love to visit Greece the most. I love how fresh and beautiful it looks, not to mention like the most tranquil place on earth. And I love Greek food!

You manage to find such pretty things for your giveaways! Though I assume they approach you. These bags look lovely!

I'm a bit of a travelaholic although I've mostly concentrated on Europe with it being all so close and such a huge variety of countries and cultures. It's always difficult as well chosing between visiting new places or going back to ones you've already been to and loved. But I digress! If I had to chose right now I'd have to say Japan, although Montenegro, Sweden and Russia are also calling to me!

I would love to purchase a purse from Malawi, Africa, for two reasons; first, their fabrics are colourful and unique. I love the earthy look, and how many of the patterns and designs mean something to their culture. second, I went on a humanitarian aid trip to Malawi last year, and it's a beautiful country full of wonderful, happy people. but it's the third poorest country in the world, so I would love to support artists from there.

but, there aren't any bags from there on the site! so if I had to choose, I would pick Thailand. I've always wanted to go there, and the purses are simple, but so pretty.

I've lived in 6 different countries already but the one I really want to visit is the Czech Republic because it has gorgeous architecture. Though I would love to also visit the South America's because they make excellent leather soled sandals, and leather goods in general.

I would love to visit India. It seems to me the most mystical country I can think of, and I don't know why--everything there seems so very foreign to me. In Sense & Sensibility, Alan Rickman says of it, "The air is full of SPICES." I think he was talking about India....haha. Anyway, I can see myself walking away with an amazingly-coloured handbag with sweet fabric.

I would love to visit India and experience the wonderful culture that has survived there for so many years throughout so much hardship in the world. So, I would love to purchase a handbag from there! The colors and fabrics of India are so interesting and lively, they brighten my day.

Everything is so pretty, I'm totally hooked on Novica now! I want to buy so many things from there, but if I could only choose one, I'd take the "Dawn Mountain" Jute and Leather shoulder bag made by Renzo Dante Costa! It has Machu Picchu on it, the place I want to visit most in the whole world. Peru is definitely THE place I wanna go to because of Machu Picchu and because of the city of Cusco. Cusco is so beautiful, I just want to go there, lie down on the streets and soak everything in! And what better way to do it than with my Machu Picchu bag in hand! ;)

love the sitewell lets see...im obsessed with fashion, I speak French, and im a baker so, ofcourse Paris is my long-lost hometown (oui oui)but Austria is a really close second because i adore its culture and all the people that came from there

I have always wanted to go to egypt and australia. I have been fascinated by ancient egyptian culture since I was a small girl. And australia, I just love the free sprited fun loving beachy culture that seems to exist down there. Plus, they have the best accents.

I would love to visit Chile. I think its an amazing country. It runs down the enitre border of south america so you could go to the beach and then drive down and go to the mountains! I would love to rent a car and spend my vacation driving down the border. Ooh and I just love the "Leather and ate grass shoulder bag, 'Fine and Fancy'. Its super cute!

I would love to visit Thailand and hopefully will some time in the next few years. The most beautiful beaches and super cheap markets, what more could you want in a holiday? It looks like they also have a nice selection of lovely bags from there too.

wow those bags are amazing. I would love to visit China. The culture is so rich and has a lengthy history. I guess because I'm chinese and I've never left the United States before, I want to see where my ancestors came from. =)

I would love to visit India. I have learned a lot about the many cultures in the different regions from my indian best friend. the colorful ornate clothing, the religious ceremonies, the amazing food, the dance, bollywood! the entire culture is so beautiful and worth celebrating.

I would go anywhere! Haha, I want to travel the world:) For spring I'm visiting Israel for 3 weeks, and I think that will be really exciting. It's my first travel alone, and also to such an interesting country. This trip will be to heal my health..The next trip I'll be saving up to after that, I hope wil be India. That would be to heal my soul;)

Hm well coincidentally, the drawing for the contest is the same day as the application due date for this awesome program I am dyyyyying to do. I am a journalism major, and I have the opportunity to study Media and Education in Southeast Islamic Asia - meaning, I would get to travel to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia in May! I want to go to all 3 equally, actually haha but Malaysia and Indonesia are supposed to be much more different than Singapore (which is apparently pretty Americanized). I've been lucky enough to go to Italy, France, and England previously, but I've never gone somewhere significantly different from America in terms of culture and such. So this program is an amazing opportunity, and I hope I get into it so I can travel to Southeast Asia!

I believe my favorite, just from skimming the products, would be the purses from Thailand. They just fit my aesthetic, the slight slouchiness, the intricate colors, just feels right, especially the ones by Jiap Rojjana and Jakkarin Yakhet. And I definitely wouldn’t mind going to Thailand.

the sodapop purse in golden power is FLAWLESSif i could go anywhere, the choices would be unlimited... i honestly wouldn't be able to choosebut i really love the detail behind the intricate embroidery in pieces from india, the earthy feeling behind the types of fabric and the design behind pieces from africa, and lastly, the flowers and stitching in the pieces you might find in a small open market in mexicohope i win, but if not, good luck to the other entries!!

I want to visit everywhere, but as of this moment, I've been lusting towards Peru, even though they eat all kinds of roaming animals, and I'm a vegetarian. It's so beautiful from the photos//documentaries//& stories. There's this really classy train you take up to the mountains, and Machu Picchu is quite lovely, but selfish me would love to spend a whole day there with no other tourists around, and wander and just lay there in the sweet green grass. And that's my story.

I'd love to visit Costa Rica's jungle. A friend has been talking me into it and I must admit it would be quite a...colourful experience! Once out of the junlge, I'm sure I'd run to the first store at sight and get a bag just to get in touch with civilization again:)

I want to visit Argentina! I've been to the Andes on the other side (Chile), but I think it's high time I visited the land of tango. Great giveaway! I've bought things through NOVICA before, but didn't realize they had handbags. Please enter me!

I would love to visit Japan. Being Korean, I feel that our nation has some common history with Japan, especially because of Japan's annexation of Korea. Also, I hear it is a beautiful, modern, and thoroughly enjoyable country in general.

I would love to visit Australia and in particular, the Great Barrier Reef. For the longest time the reef has fascinated me with it's brilliant colors and vast array of life. I'd love to visit the country/continent sometime. It'd be a great experience.

I'm an aspiring traveling photographer and I have a serious passion for international fashion. So finding out about a fantastic giveaway like this honestly made my entire week! I would love to travel all around the world, particularly countries that aren't as well advertised as others and have stuck to the traditions passed down from their ancestors. That is so facsinating!

But looking at the Novica website, I think I would most like a purse from Brazil or Thailand. The Brazilian soda pop-top backpacks and handbags are AMAZING and incredibly unique. And the Thailand shoulderbags infuse the Thai culture into fashion so well. I'm in love with these purses! Thank you so much for having an awesome giveaway like this. Really appreciate it =)

I would love to go back to Japan for a while (I was born there but since my parents are US citizens, I do not have dual citizenship) because I really would like to see the city lights, the cherry blossom festival, the fashion, and, yes, of course- eat a TON of mochi! I love the culture! So I would love a bag from Japan.

I have always dreamed of going to Istanbul and seeing Hagia Sophia, after learning about it in my art history class, the beautiful images of it have always been stuck in the back of my mind. Turkey in general would be amazing to visit.

I would love to visit Australia, New Zealand, England, Italy, Spain, Brazil, or Japan someday in my life. Not sure if even any of those will ever happen, but hey, a girl can hope! Thanks for another great giveaway opportunity :)

I would really like to visit South America- Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina. It's far away for me, so I hope I get to visit there in the future. They have unique cultures and I've seen beautiful pictures of there lanscapes. The artwork there is amazing as well, so getting a handbag from that region would be really awesome!

There's something about Mongolia that has attracted me for years. Maybe it's the solitude, or the nomad culture, or perhaps it's the amazing landscapes you can find there, but I've found a hidden drive to get there. I always felt it was a trip I had to take alone, as no one I knew was crazy enough to consider it an amazing idea, but after a couple of months of being together with my boyfriend I accidentally found out he shared the same strange drive. For him is definitely the absence of humans, the opportunity to hunt and to live simple (to be fair he is also obsessed with Genghis Khan). Since that moment we both knew it was a trip we were going to take together. It felt like destiny, even. One day, when we save enough money, we are going to spend a few months there. We will make it worth our while.

Although I have already been to France twice. I would very much like to go again. Of all of the European countries I have visited, I find France to be the most memorable. I don't think I can find a flaw in each of my experiences there.

Other than France, I would love to travel anywhere and everywhere. I'd much rater live out of a suitcase than stay in one place for too long.

The country I would really love love to visit is Ireland. The scenery there those mountains and vast fields and those houses,I can't imagine !Its so beautiful from tv always,and I really love their accent tooo:)

I really love love the 1st bag in the 2nd row,so gorgeous with all the details and color !

it changes every day because i LOVE LOVE LOVE traveling, but if i could go anywhere in the world at this one second it would be... tokyo! I'm 5'11" (and a girl!) so i'd probably feel like a giant, but i'm used to it. I've wanted to go to tokyo ever since i saw lost in translation. recently though i've really been wanting to go to amsterdam. someday i'll totally make it everywhere, and be penniless but VERY happy :-)

DEFFINANTLY want to visit Australia sooo bad! The beautiful weather and rich culture has always appealed to meIf I had to choose a place to buy a purse from: Russia. The architecture would hopefully inspire a cool handbag design :)

Oh this one is SOO easy. I would love Love LOVE to go to Kenya, and I'm positive that I will make it there some day. Ever since I was a kid I've been crazy fascinated by African culture and I've been studying Swahili for a couple years to learn more about the culture.

I would like to visit Japan and buy a purse there! The Shinjuku/Harajuku area is so nice and the shops there are amazing. I love the Lolita style and fairy kei styles you find there. They're so unique and cute, I would die for a design like that. A cute little bag in black or pink...

Gosh, there's so many, I'd have to make a list! From the top of my head: First China so I can gain an enriched experience of my cultural roots and history(sample out some gourmet food and visit some palaces and temples); second would be France or England for their museums, architecture, and clothes shopping, third would be any tropical country with white sand, hot sunny weather, and clear water perfect for snorkeling and swimming. :)

I'm more drawn to individual cities than countries, so where I want to go...definitely venice, for the unique city on the water and the beauty, and then vienna for the music and elegance, and new york for the whole modern day feeling, paris for the romance, belgium for the chocolate...I can go on forever. I was born in China, so I've certainly been there~ X3

I would most want to go.... anywhere.Everywhere.I love the world.Buy me a ticket to someplace new and I'll gladly go. Right now I really want to go to Korea. I would also want a bag from Peru. I love that Machu Pichu-Peruvian blanket-Indian pattern, South American. I'm also really craving some Peruvian crumbly cakes. MMmmmm.

First off, I would like to say thank you for highlighting fair trade in your blog. The fair trade movement is something that practically everyone has heard of, but experience has taught me that not everyone realizes how important it is to buy fair trade when it is within one's means. I didn't know very much about fair trade, and I still don't know all I want to, but watching the heart wrenching and eye-opening documentary Black Gold taught me a lot about fair trade in terms of the coffee trade, and I highly, highly, highly recommend it to anyone interested in becoming more informed. Here is the link: http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/watchonline.phpFor those who don't have time to watch it, here's what I took away from it in a couple sentences: we are all connected, but it's easy to overlook the ties that bind us together - it's easy to forget that we constitute the consumer end of countless global commodity chains that depend on us for survival. It's easy to forget that your cup of Starbucks, or the shirt that you're wearing, or the shoes on your feet intimately connect you to someone thousands of miles away. But they do. And I'm not trying to sound preachy or anything, but I think it's important to at least realize those connections, and hopefully, to make conscious decisions in light of that realization.

Sorry, that was really long lol. Now on to the question: I would get a bag from West Africa because I'm a Development Studies major (if anyone's wondering, it's not child development, it's 3rd world development ... kind of ... except not as dominating/imperialist as it sounds) and my intended region of focus is West Africa; I plan on studying abroad there next year ... plus the bags are really pretty!

I think I would love to have a bag from Africa. I heavily support (RED), and I believe that anything that comes from there is truly a piece of art, because art is an expression of meaning. When they make their items, they make it in hope for a better future. I highly believe in that and I think it'd definitely be for a better cause. That way if someone asks me where I got my purse from, I'd tell them proudly "From Africa!", in hope that they'd begin to support the better of humankind as well.

Though probably I won't get to go there for a long, long time if I had unlimited funds I would hop on a plane to Iceland this minute. The landscape blows my mind, and all the wonderful Icelandic musicians (Sigur Rós, Björk, múm) make me believe there is magic in the air over there.

i always enter all of your giveaways, but somehow i never end up winning because, maybe, the moment isn't right.

i would love bags from India because the collection is insanely beautiful. i live in India, and yet i cannot find such beautiful craft workmanship. and that is why i wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to purchase these bags also because ordinarily, they'll be totally out of my purchase limit!

ps. great work, rebecca, your personal style always keeps evolving and through the very same pieces, we get to see so many different stories! xo.

I am currently considering both Greece and Switzerland to visit next year and it's driving me mad! I can't seem to choose between the two!

Greece is so impossibly perfect with its ancient history, islands, the Aegean Sean and gorgeous sunsets. Switzerland with its famous alps and chocolates, plus everyone who went to Europe tells me Switzerland is the best place to go! So I'm still torn, really:)

I think if I could choose anywhere it would be to Papua New Guinea as the wildlife there is still undisturbed and the species of mammals so remarkable. They are tame having not been hunted, they have no fear, so I would hope to stoke a Cuscus. Then back to New Zealand to be a tourist.

i could easily buy something, if only i had the money to buy it with... do they do any charity work? :D kidding... anyways, i loved the post...new findings and inspirations are always more than welcome

the country I would love love love to visit is Kenya. and I would especially love to see the Masai tribes. I am totally in love with the way they look and dress. the color red has never looked so good on anyone as it looks on the Masai, both men and women. so I would definitely love to buy a Masai bag

Oh wow....where would I most want to travel? Honestly, there are at least 20 places I'd want to see right now. India is very high on my list....BUT I will choose Russia.I have always wanted to see Moscow and St. Petersburg and it is one of my dreams to travel across the whole country in the Transsiberian Railway. That must be so fantastic! great, now I'm googling the transsiberian railway....oooh...there is a lonely planet just dedicated to it!Sorry, I just got myself overly excited, haha

There's so many places I want to see, but my top three would have to be London, Italy, and Japan. I think London might be the easiest transition in some ways since I wouldn't have to learn a new language, just new slang.

They're all lovely! I'd love to visit Peru, particularly Macchu Picchu. That something so beautiful and old and amazing still stands completely blows me away. I've always been fascinated by the Incas and I can't wait to visit there one day! :)

What a fabulous idea for a shop! Thats a hard question though, my favourite country that I've been to is Laos, followed closely by Cambodia but I feel like if I was travelling again I would like to see somewhere different. There are so many countries in the world I'd love to see but one place I've always wanted to go is Japan.

I would love to visit the Dominican Republic--it's where my family is from and I want to see the land they called home before moving to America. Also I'd love to go to South Korea to see the land my best friend is from and share that experience with her.

I would love to visit Iceland in the summertime. Long days, melting glaciers, breathtaking colors, natural beauty permeating every vista. It seems like such a magical place- like some enchanted wonderland from a dream :).

Great giveaway Rebecca! We have a fair trade store a few towns away that I love to visit! If I could go to any one country it would most likely be Indonesia, the colours they use are so vivid and beautiful and they aren't afraid to embellish things or leave them to their natural beauty. I would probably never want to leave if I visited that country.

That one in the bottom left is so beautiful. The country I would most like to visit at the moment is Tajikstan. I saw a documentary on the capital, Dushanbe, and they were looking at its history, it was so amazing. Hope you're having a lovely day :)

I want to visit Tuva! Although technically a Federal Republic of Russia, Tuvan culture has more in common with Mongolian culture. I love their cultural singing style - Throat-singing and have always dreamt of exploring the country on horseback! If I could buy a purse from there, I would hope for a leather saddle bag!

I would, with all my heart, love to go to India. One day I hope to go and do charity work there, in the slums and redlight districts. Hopefully I'll get to go next Christmas. But I also love the culture and all the bright colors.

Actually, there are a couple of super-adorable over-the-shoulder bags from India that I would love to have.

I would love to go to India. Ever since I attended my sister's Hindu wedding and after meeting all of her new Indian in-laws, I have become extremely interested in the culture, especially with their textiles and beautiful accessories.

Where don't I want to go! I'd love to go to Ireland for the landscape the rolling hills, high cliffs, and castles. It's every historical novel I've read, I need to be the girl in the 12th century castle. Lately I've been interested in India, especially the area of Udapuir and Rajasthan. A woman in the dance community in PA does traditional rajasthani gypsy dance and it's just gorgeous. Or New Zealand! Andrea and I have been swapping packages for about a year and the untouched landscape and out of the way placement makes it an ideal getaway destination.

I'd like to go to morocco in the future. However, I was reading a magazine article about Indian palaces that have been turned into luxury hotels. The pictures looked so beatiful, that I might want to go there first (if I had the money)

I would someday love to visit India. I've always had this beautiful imagery of it from Alfonso Cuaron's A Little Princess, and it was reinforced by Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited. I would love to take a train ride through the country!

Wow, what a great contest! There are some really pretty purses over at NOVICA. I hope you don't mind if I answer both questions for fun! : )

Well, I have traveled overseas a good amount in my life, and I definitely want to continue to travel as I get older. If I could choose one country to visit tomorrow, it would be Greece. I think it is great that you spent a semester there! And your pictures from your trip looked amazing. I absolutely love travel and know I would enjoy Greece's culture, architecture, food, etc.

I actually just recently bought a beautiful tote bag. It is this pretty golden yellow color - great for autumn. It turns out it is made from old Indian Saris. So I guess if I could buy a purse from another country, I would buy another beautiful purse from India!

I'd have to say Thailand. There's such rich history there... there are beautiful blue beaches, mountains, waterfalls...it looks beautiful! All of the temples and interesting architecture.. definitely Thailand!! That's where I'm going next!:)

I have always been drawn to Thailand. I would love to go visit and live with a hill tribe and learn their beautiful craft. They use so many beautiful bright colors that all seem to blend perfectly together via patchwork. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

Travel is one of my favourite things. A place I've been thinking about visiting as soon as my grad student budget allows is Vietnam. One of the biggest reasons for that is that without the history of Vietnam, I wouldn't exist. My American mother came to Canada with her former partner during that time, met my dad, and the rest is history. It's a country that has been though a lot and it's somewhere I would definitely like to experience. Bag wise, two of my faves in my own collection are from England and India, and I'd love to return to both of those places to get more!

It's almost impossible for me to choose one! But I suppose if you were going to plop me on a plane tomorrow and I had to choose right this second I think I would have to choose Greece. I just love the culture and the white and blue houses, and the food!

I am DYING to go to Peru! My Grandfather is from Lima, and most of his family still lives there. My grandparents always bring me the most beautiful handmade gold jewelry (it's a lot cheaper there!) but I'm really dying for a handwoven shoulder tote. The colors of Peruvian textiles are so amazing, and I would really love to meet my grandfather's family and all of my distant cousins. I'm hoping to spend a few weeks next summer getting to know his great nieces and nephews who are my age - and scouring the markets, of course!

Hmm..this is a tough question as there're too many countries I'd like to visit. Well, I think I'd love to go to India. The country fascinates me in many ways. I enjoy their music and dances and I'm also amazed by their traditional clothes, sari. I heard that it took hours for an Indian woman to wrap that 7m sari to their body. Wow..

I'd LOVEEE to visit so many countries, but if I had to choose one, I'd say France because Paris is the fashion capital of the world and it has so much culture and history. I'd love to buy a purse from there, too, since so many amazing handbag designers are French (and sadly out of my price range). COOL CONTEST!

I want to visit Ireland with my family. My dad is nearing 60 and he's wanted to go his whole life to visit the tiny house where his grandmother grew up (with her 11 siblings - yikes!). I really want to take an extended road trip through the country, visiting the places my family comes from.

First I would love to visit the islands of the Philippines, so I can learn more about my mother's culture and family history.

But second, I would love to visit India and purchase fabrics and bags from there. The rich, bright colors and jewels are so wonderful in Bollywood movies, that I'd like to see them up close and learn more about the culture. I'd also love to see the stones on the Taj Mahal -- I bet a lot of sartorial inspiration can from such a beautiful monument.

I've wanted to live in Spain for as long as I can remember. I think I was meant to live there all along. However, I would probably end up choosing a bag from India. I've been finding myself drawn and connected to Indian culture in so many ways in the past few years, that it cannot be ignored.

I want to visit China, before it's too late to see its natural beauty and traditional culture. But I'd have to buy a bag from Mexico because I fell in love with the leather trendsetter shoulder bag on the novica website.

London is a good country to visit. When Autumn come, it even looks better. Colorful leaves, just amazing.But I rather visit canada,actually I don't really know about canada. I just want to visit it when I heard it's name. Kind of cheesy

Coming all the way from hot humid always summery Singapore (a tiny red dot just below Malaysia), I've been down with the travel bug since I could read. Imagine reading books, seeing pictures, about exotic, new, exciting places I couldn't go to then!

I think the place I really want to visit the most would be Turkey. Such a rich culture, traditional yet surprisingly modern, and the fabrics, the hospitality, the vibrant earthy colours, the architecture, pistachios.. So many things to see, hear, touch, taste and feel. Not to mention, gorgeous Turkey guys ;)

i would love to travel my own country, indonesia.cause indonesia have a beautiful places and beautiful pieces of art. example: batik, batik indonesia hae so man patterns and you can imagine how many bags can you made here. and the other reason is, i wanna know my own country very very well :)xxwinnano_escape@live.com

Since this is fantasy, I'll have to say backpacking through Southeasternish Asia - Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, then over to Nepal, Tibet, India. Unfortunately it's been impounded in my brain that I could never do this, even with a seasoned guide/friend/etc because I am a little blonde girl and would be kidnapped and sold into the slave trade, which sadly, is probably not unlikely =[ But yay fantasy wishes and beautiful bags and blogs!

Greetings from south Texas! I would definitely opt for the Thailand purses, hands down. It would be a dream come true if I were able to travel to Africa, specially if I could volunteer for a non-profit organization. Your blog is always so full of inspiration, take care.

I currently am in love with the idea of Vienna, Austria; all the cafes sound lovely, the architecture is supposed to be beautiful, and there's a lot of stuff related to Mozart and other classical music there. However, I always turn toward the bright, woven, Mexican bags or the colorful, silk, Indian bags when visiting local fair-trade shops.

I would love to visit Ireland, going to all the small towns with cobble streets and where it is really green. Also, Kinsale, the buildings in the town are painted in bright colors. I watched and literary travel through Ireland documentary and would love to do that as well.